KLK5 gene

The KLK5 gene (KLK5 stands for: Kallikrein Related Peptidase 5) is a protein-coding gene located on chromosome 19q13.41. An important paralog of this gene is KLK4.

Kallikreins (kallikreins) are a subgroup of serine proteases with diverse physiological functions. There is evidence that many kallikreins are involved in carcinogenesis, and some have the potential to be novel biomarkers for cancer and other diseases.

The KLK5 gene is one of the fifteen members of the kallikrein subfamily located in a cluster on chromosome 19. Its expression is upregulated by estrogens and progestins. The encoded protein(kallikrein-5) is secreted and may be involved in desquamation in the epidermis. Alternative splicing results in several transcript variants encoding the same protein. The encoded enzyme kallikrein-5 (formerly known as: stratum corneum tryptic) is involved in the physiological process of skin desquamation.

Diseases associated with KLK5 include Netherton syndrome and ovarian cancer. Related pathways include keratinization and collagen chain trimerization. Specific activities associated with this gene include serine-type endopeptidase activity and serine-type peptidase activity.

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